Antenna mast supporting bracket



Feb. 28, 1950 R. w: WEKS 2,499,011

ANTENNA MAST SUPPORTING BRACKET Filed Feb. 21. 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 28, 1950 R. W. WEEKS ANTENNA MAST SUP-ORTIG BRACKET Filed Feb. 21, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ROBERT VV. WEEKS Patented Feb. 28, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEv ANTENNA MAST SUPPORTING BRACKET y Robert W. Weeks, West Chester, Pa.

Application February 21, 1947, Serial No. 7 29,912

(Cl. 24S-43) 7 Claims.

l, This invention relates to antenna mast supporting brackets and to. flexible means for securing the bracket on a chimney or other supporting object.

The primary objects of the invention are to provide a novel arrangement of flexible fastening means for securing the bracket to a supporting object, together with novel locking or clamp means, which may be carried by the bracket, for maintaining said flexible means taut; to provide in such flexible means a novel tensioning device for obtaining the desired degree of tautness therein; to provide in such a bracket adjustable means for supporting masts or standards of varying cross-sectional dimensions and for exerting equal amounts'of retaining pressure thereagainst from several directions; and to provide such a bracket which is selectively operable either t offer endwise abutting support to the mast or standard supported therein, or to permit insertion of the mast completely therethrough.

A further object is to provide such a flexible fastening means which may be economically assembled from standard commercially available parts and which is quite simple, eiiicient and reliable in operation.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

Figure '1 'is a side elevational view on a small scale showing an antenna mast secured to a chimney by a pair of brackets according to ymy invention, the brackets being shown only dia- Figure 1a is a fragmentary perspective View on a larger scale of the preferred form of bracket in detail as it appears when applied to a chimney or other supporting object (not shown) Figure 2, an enlarged sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3, a sectional View on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4, a detail sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure l, showing the construction of the strap guides or portions of the bracket;

Figure 5, a detail plan View showing one of the strap corner guides which are carried by the flexible fastening element of the invention; the cooperating corner of the chimney being shown in broken lines; and

Figure 6, a side elevation of the strap corner guide shown in Figure 5, the cooperating corner of .the chimney being illustrated by a broken line.

Referring, new in detail. to the ,aompanying Y 2 drawings, the letterI B designates in its entirety a bracket which is secured to a chimney C or other support, preferably at the corner thereof, by flexible supporting means generally designated by the reference character S. k

It is normally contemplated and intended that two or more suchbrackets B will be mounted on the chimney in vertical registry to receive and support an antenna mast, standard, flagstafl or similar object A, as shown in Figure 1. Such plural use of the brackets B is preferred, due to the increased strength and Vertical stability with which the mast A is thus supported; however, the invention is not limited to such use, and obviously the various brackets or units B thereof may be utilized individually where a lesser degree of strength and stability is required.

Each such bracket B is preferably formed as an integral metal casting comprising a supporting base formed of two relatively perpendicularly v disposed wings or arms l and 2 arranged to engage adjacent walls of a corner portion of a lchimney or other supporting structure.

At the apex of wings I and 2 an integral arm 3 extends outwardly symmetrically with respect to the wings and carries a vertically arranged sleeve or socket 4 at its outer end. At the base of arm 3, where the wings l and 2 meet, a pair of vertical corner extensions 5a and 5b extend in opposite directions. The arm 3 is also provided with a pair of vertical lugs 3a and 3b on the upper and lower edges thereof and spaced from corner extensions. A pair of set-screws 'la and 1b are screwed into threaded horizontal bores in lugs 3a and 3b so that the screws are directed towards corner extensions 5a and 5b respectively. These lugs 5a and 5b constitute stationary jaws of two clamps in which screws la and 'lb constitute the movable jaws.

At the end of wing l a pair of apertured lugs la and Ib extend vertically in opposite directions, and a corresponding pair of apertured lugs 2a and 2b are provided at the end of wing 2. These apertured lugs receive flexible bands which form part of the fastening means S of Figure 1 for securing the brackets to the chimney.

The bracket casting is reinforced by a pair of integral webs 6a and 6b formed on opposite sides of arm 3 and extending along the middle portion of wings I and 2.

The flexible fastening means S for securing the bracket B to the chimney or other support includes a centrally apertured buckle I5 which `conveniently may consist of a large steel washer,

such as is commonly available commercially.

Secured or anchored to this buckle or washer I and extending from opposite sides thereof are a chimney or support encircling straps I6 and a relatively short overlap or binding strap I'I respectively. These straps I6 and I'I preferably consist of flexible metal straps such as usual baling straps, and are anchored to the washer I5 in any suitable manner, as by passing an end of each through said washer, bending the end back against the adjacent portion :of its respective strap to form a loop, and spot welding the contacting portions thereof together. strap I6 is anchored to buckle I5 as at Ia, Figures 1a. and 2, and the free endis .passed through the aperture in lug Ia, and then passed around L One end of the chimney and threaded through the aperture in lug 2a, and after passing between yclamping lugs 3a and 5a, it passes through buckle I5.

The free end of the strap I6 is passed outwardly through the buckle I5, as shown in Figure 2, and is wound upon a tightening reel I8 which may consist of a usual cotter pin extending across the yaperture of the buckle with its end portions rotatably bearing against the' outer surface thereof. The tip end of strap I6 is suitably secured to the cotter pin as by passing between the two legs of the cotter pin before rotating the pin about its major axis to wind the strap onto the pin, as shown at Ib in Figure la. VThe free end of strap I'I also passes between clamping lugs `3a and 5a, and the two straps I8 and I'I are clamped against lug 5a by screw 'Ia as will 'be explained later. A like fastening assembly S is provided on the lower side of each bracket .as shown in Figures l, 1a and 3.

In order to prevent bending of the strap I6 at too sharp an angle where it passes around the corners of the chimney, corner guides are provided, see Figures 4, 5 and 6. Each of these guides. is an angle piece having an angular inner surface. 2'I conforms to the shape of the corner to which it is to be applied. The guides 20 have "end slots 22 through which the strap I6 is threaded. These guides are formed with smoothly rounded exterior corners 23 over which the strap .I6 is disposed, as shown in Figure 6.

The stationary clamp lugs 5a. yand 5b ofthe bracket also are provided with a smoothly rounded outer corner so that it may serve the `same purpose as the corner guide at its particular 'Cornel'.

In order to prevent chai-ing of the straps IB against the chimney, with consequent wear, the corner guides 2U and bracket B are each so for-med -asto maintain the straps I6 out of contact with the chimney surface. To this end, the inner'surfaces of the slotted end portions of each -of the corner guides 2l) are outwardly oset, as shown at 24, from the remaining inner surface portions 2l thereof.

'The corresponding inner surfaces of the end portions of wings I and 2 of the brackets B are similarly arranged for the same purpose, as shown at la and 2a'.

In applying the bracket B to a chimney, after having assembled `the bracket Band both exible fastening means S thereof in operative relation as heretofore described, with the free end Vof the encircling strap I6 operatively associated with the reel I8, the set screws 1 of both clamps are loosened to permit relative movement between :the overlapping portions of the straps IS and I1 4 the chimney C. The looped portions of the straps' I6 are then lowered around the chimney while the bracket B is placed over a corner thereof in the desired position, and the several corner guides 20 are moved to locations in registry with their respective corners of the chimney. Then the flexible supporting means S are successively drawn taut by actuation of their respective reels I8, and secured in taut position by rotation of the respective set screws la, 1b intotightzengagement with the overlapping portions of` said re- ,spective means S. The reels I8 may be rotated `by usual nails or rods inserted through the eyes L8" thereof lto furnish the requisite leverage.

The vsleeve 4 of the bracket serves as a socket to receive vthe mast or standard A. Each such sleeve is provided with mast positioning and diameter compensating means such as the two set screws Illa and IIb` threaded through the sides of the sleeve for radial adjustment into tight clamping engagement with ythe mast A. These 4setscrews are .disposed preferably at one hundred and twenty degrees relative to each other to urge the antenna into frictional engagement with .a portion 4of the sleeve 4 disposed atsubstantially 1209 .around thev sleeve from either set screw. Thus it will.v be seen that the radial engagement or .pressure .on the antenna mast A will. normally be substantially equally distributed between each of the two` set screws and a point on the sleeve 4. If desired, each set screw I la, I Ib may be provided with a lusual .lock nut vI2 to maintain .it in `adjusted position.

Itis `further .desirable to provide a iixed support orabutment to. positively engagethe lower end or the mast A and thus axially position the mast. 'To this end, the sleeve 4- is. provided with` a diametrical` bore I3; extending completelyA therethrough, .and the end` support or abutment may `be in the form ,of a bolt I4 disposed Ithereacross, as shown in detail in Figure 3.

"Wfhengtwo brackets B are employed, the second bracket :is then .applied in the same manner `and positioned above the Vfirst bracket invertical reg.- -istry therewith, as showny in Figure 1. The end support bolt I4 of the upper bracket is removed, and amast or :standard A is inserted therethrough .and intothe socketrof the llower ,bracket B to rest on the end-supporting bolt I4 thereof. Then the ltwo set' screws "la, lbr of, each bracket B are tightened intoengagement with the. mast A. Obyiously, where desired, the upper bracket B may be omitted.

Where more than one bracket B'is used,v as in Figure 1, .the end supports or boltsl I4 are removed from all but rthe lowest bracket, thus allowing the antenna Ato extend, completely thnough 4all but the lowermost'.sleevek 8.

The sleeve 4 with `the two clam-ping lscrews I Ia, :I Ifb` and the end-supporting boltv I4 isv .capable of use independently of the particular type of supporting. base disclosed' herein.

I claim:

l. :Supporting means vfor securing a mast to a supporting Ibody comprising, a bracket adaptedto be secured flush against the surface of said. supporting body, said bracket being formed with a cylindrical antenna` socket extending therethrough, a pair .of mast positioning set screws adjustable Aradially into said socket and spaced substantially one hundred and twenty degrees relative to each other', and a clamp carried by -said bracket, Vin combination with flexible fastening means for securing said bracket to said body comprisngan aperturedf buckle, a bodyfenci-rcling strap and an overlap strap respectively anchored to and extending from opposite sides of `said buckle, both of said straps being disposed infsaid clamp in overlapping relation, the free endv of said encircling strap being slidably disposed through the aperture in said buckle, a tightening reel extending across said aperture and secured -to said free end, said reel being rotatablegin abutting engagement with said buckle G-Wind said strap thereon and draw same through said aperture, said clamp being operable to urgesaid encircling strap and said overlap strap into tight frictional locking engagement to maintain said encircling strap around said body at any desired degree of tautness.

2. Supporting means for mounting a mast on a supporting body comprising a supporting bracket adapted to be secured against said supporting body, in combination with a flexible-fastening means for securing said bracket, tojsaid body, said bracket comprising a mediallydisposed clamp carried thereby to receivefcooperating portions of said fastening means fand'secure same against relative movement, said {fastening means comprising an apertured buckle, an encircling strap and an overlap strap reSlfJv ively anchored to and extending from oppo'sitf vsides of said buckle, both of said straps havin'gportions received in said clamp in overlapping relation, the free end of said encircling strap being slidably disposed through the aperturefin said buckle, and a tightening reel extending racross said aperture and secured to said free end,i..`,s aid reel being rotatable to wind said encircling strap therearound.

3. Flexible fastening means for securing a bracket to a supporting body comprising ans apertured buckle, an encircling strap andan loverlap strap respectively anchored to and extending from opposite sides of said buckle-thefree end of said encircling strap being slidably 'disposed through the aperture in said buckle beneath said overlap strap, and a tightening'reel extending across said aperture and securedl to said free end, said reel being rotatable lto `.Wind said encircling strap therearound, portionsv of said respective straps being disposed in relatively overlapping relation adjacent said reel', and a clamp receiving said overlapping portions and operable to lock same against relative movement.

4. Supporting means for mounting a maston a supporting body comprising a supporting bracket adapted to be secured against said body, afmedially `disposed clamp carried thereby; f said bracket being formed with cooperating guide slots in alignment with said clamp on opposite sides thereof, in combination with flexible ffastening means adapted to encircle said supportingl body, said means being disposed through said guide slots and having relatively overlapping-portions received in said clamp, said portions vbeing relatively movable in the inoperative position of said clamp and locked against relative movement in the' operative position ofsai'd clamp, and a reel rotatably; associated with said flexible fastening means b" een said overlapping portions, a free end of sa astening means being secured to said reel forfowinding thereon to rdraw said fastening meansj'taut around said supporting body.

5. Supporting means for mounting a mast on a supporting body comprising a supporting bracket adapted to be secured against saidbody, and a clamp carri'dftliereby, in combination with a flexible strap adapted to encircle said 'supporting body and securefs'aid bracket thereagainst, said strap having relatively overlapping portions received in and being clamped against re1- ative movemeritby said clamp, and a reel rotatably associated with said strap at said overlapping portions, la free end ofv saidA strap being secured to saidlrejel for winding thereon to draw said strap tautjaround said supporting body.

6. Flexible. fastening means i adapted' to encircle a supporting body comprising a strap, tightening meanslcarried by one end of said strap and engaging theI free end of said strap to `draw said strap tautaround said supporting body, a second strap secured to said tightening means and extendinggirito overlapping relation with a portion of ,thej free end of said rst strap adjacent said tightening means, and clamping means engaging; said overlapping straps in clamping relationlto hold said straps against relative movement. y j

7. A corner guide for a iiexible securing strap comprising fan'angle piece having a "fpair of arms arranged aft right angles and adapted to iit around a corner o f a support, an aperture formed in the end of each arm of said angle piece for receiving said strap, and the inner face of each arm beyond each' aperture being set back from the inner face ofthe arm whereby said strap is held in spaced relation to the walls of said support.

ROBERT W. WEEKS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent: e UNITED STATES PATENTS 

